“You’re an idiot,” she says, and we laugh together. “I can’t believe you built a house like this just because I said how much I loved it.”
“I told you, kitten. You’ve been mine all along.”
She pulls me to her and kisses me with a passion that matches my own. The next thing I know, she’s climbing on my lap, and I grin against her lips.
“You know, we’ve got a whole-ass house we can do this in,” I say, and she reaches for the door handle.
“Good point.”
I climb out of the truck still holding her in my arms as I carry her up the stairs of the porch.
“You can put me down, you know,” she offers, but I shake my head.
“Not a chance, kitten.” I open the front door with one hand and carry her inside. “I’m not risking you running out on me. Besides, it's good luck to carry the bride over the threshold.”
She doesn’t seem to register the words as her eyes widen in wonder. “It’s incredible,” she whispers almost to herself.
“If only I’d thought to buy a race car bed,” I say, and her laughter fills our home.
Chapter Thirteen
LANE
Sawyer leads me from one room to another, and I can’t get over all he’s done. Not only that he’s built this home, but he’s done it next to the creek. Our creek. We used to spend entire days out there, and it holds so many of my favorite memories.
“There are still a few things left like the décor and finishing touches.”
“It’s pretty dang perfect right now.” I walk through a set of double French doors that lead to an office or possibly a library. Bookshelves line the walls, filled with books, except for a bay window that provides a view of the creek beyond. There’s a path leading toward it, lined with lights.
“I wasn’t sure about the bookcases, and the desk I grabbed randomly.” I can tell he’s being a bit bashful. He really wants me to love this, and I do. How did I ever question what I meant to this man? I’m going to blame it on being young and dumb.
“The shelves are amazing. You don’t like them?”
“I like them, but I thought you might want to build them.” He gives a small shrug. “I guess I wanted you to get a feel for the place when I finally got you here.”
Through it all, he still never doubted I would be his and this would be our home.
“Sawyer.” He’s right in front of me now, and I run my hands up his chest. When my fingers lace at the back of his neck, I look into his eyes. “You did good, but the desk.” I shake my head and pretend to be disappointed. “It looks like I’m going to have to build you one.”
A smile spreads across his handsome face, giving me those dimples. “That was the plan.”
“Sounds like you have all kinds of plans.” Sawyer's hands go to my ass, and he lifts me off my feet. A laugh bubbles out of me as I wrap my legs around him.
“Ladies love a man with a plan.” Now his expression is cocky, and I can’t say I hate it.
“Oh, do they?” I raise a teasing brow.
“It’s what I’ve heard.” He shrugs. “Look at me now. I’ve got my girl in our home with her legs wrapped around me.” His hands squeeze my ass, and he’s not wrong.
I don’t miss that he keeps calling this place ours or that he carried me over the threshold as if we’re already married.
"All right then, what's your next plan?"
"First, I feed you." Sawyer carries me into the kitchen and sets me down on the island. I let out a small huff, and he chuckles. "You don't like that plan?"
It’s not the worst one, but there are better ones I have in mind. I'm sure he does too.
"I guess I thought the plan was going to take place in the bedroom."